You know something is horribly wrong when your god falls on his face.
This is what happened to the ancient Philistines when they captured the ark of God from the Israelites. They carried the ark into the temple of their god, Dagon, and left it for the night. When they woke the next day, Dagon had fallen on his face before the ark of God.
They were good followers of Dagon so they set him upright again and went about their day but the next morning, they found Dagon fallen on his face again – this time his head and hands had broken off. Not a good look for a god.
God is clear about one difference between following Him and following gods of our own making – known in ancient times as idols. He is quite eloquent in Isaiah 46 that the gods we fashion with our hands need to be carried around but HE, the God who is and was and is to come, carries US. He is not a god who needs to be propped up or fed or carted around. He is a living God who is sufficient to take care of Himself AND us.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of treating God like an idol. Life gets hectic and we can begin to see God as just another relationship that needs to be managed. Is God getting enough time? Is God getting impatient? Is God feeling needy these days? As I tend to my family, my chores, my job, my health, my yard – shouldn’t I also be tending to God?
Here, though, is the truth that sets us free.
HE tends to us.
HE carries us.
This is what He says, “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3-4
He is the living God. He does not dwell in my department of religion. He is not a ball I need to keep in the air or a wedge of my life’s balance pie or another message I need to return or another item on my to-do list . He is the force that sustains me.
Sometimes I forget that.
Sometimes I lose that truth like a set of car keys in the rush of everyday living where all things seem to depend on me.
Today I am reminded that I do not serve a god who will ever fall on his face. I serve a living God, Jesus Christ, and He carries Me.
It is in the face of that truth that I fall down – to worship, to find sustenance, to receive rest.
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Perfect and perfectly what I needed today! Thanks
You always get my attention Lori, and I am always glad that I stopped by. I am glad I am on the follow list, and glad to be following the almighty one true One. Amazing isn’t it, “the gods we fashion with our hands need to be carried around but HE, the God who is and was and is to come, carries US.” This post really spoke to me, thanks so much for the insight.
It’s what I needed today, too, Phoenix!
Merry, you’re so kind. Thank you for your comment and your encouragement! I’m also amazed by the truth that God carries US! I’m glad you’re along for the ride!
Love this one! Thanks!
Angel
When I first saw the title, I thought you might be writing about the passage in Mark when Jesus fell on his face before His Father asking for the cup to be taken from Him. A very unusual posture for a good Jewish man. It was our Sunday School lesson this past Sunday. It continues to move and amaze me that our God came and laid before His father – basically saying ‘I don’t Want Too’ – but Father I will because it is your will. Oh How He loves us – beyond measure or comprehension.
Excellent reminder, Lori. We are such creatures of habit, it’s easy to make worship a habit, too… a mindless rule that we should follow, lest, by some superstition, something bad will befall us. But God is a PERSON, our Creator and Father, who loves us more than anyone on this earth ever could. Who WOULDN’T want a deep, rewarding relationship with Someone like that??? 🙂
Thanks, Angel!
Wow, now I’m going to read that passage and meditate on what you’ve shared, Eileen! Thanks!
I sure don’t want to miss out on it, Greg! Pass it on!
Yet another excellent post!
Nice of you to drop in, Betsy! How’s homeschooling?
“He is the living God. He does not dwell in my department of religion. He is not a ball I need to keep in the air or a wedge of my life’s balance pie or another message I need to return or another item on my to-do list . He is the force that sustains me.”
What an incredible comfort to read these words today!
Love it,
Cheri